Display apparatus, user terminal, control method, and computer-readable medium

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes: a display; a communication device configured to communicate with a user terminals; and a processor configured to control the display to display a UI, which includes items corresponding to content to be shared by users, in response to inputs of the users received through the user terminals, and control the display to display, on the UI, reproduction control states of the content to be distinguishable according to the respective users.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/391,990 filedDec. 28, 2016, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2015-0189973, filed Dec. 30, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual PropertyOffice, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate toa display apparatus and a user terminal which are capable of reproducingcontent, a control method thereof, a computer-readable medium and asystem thereof, and more particularly to a display apparatus and a userterminal which are capable of reproducing content desired to be sharedamong a plurality of users in response to inputs of the plurality ofusers, a control method thereof, a computer-readable medium and a systemthereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In related art methods for sharing content among a plurality of users,the plurality of users can connect their own smartphones or similar userterminals to a television (TV) or the display apparatus one by one inturn, so that content of the smartphone can be displayed on the displayapparatus, thereby sharing content with one another.

However, the related art technology is not sufficient to provide aworthwhile experience of sharing content to the plurality of users whoare in the same place. For example, if several users who took a triptogether share pictures respectively taken by them, the related artmethods may be inconvenient since the users have to connect their ownuser terminals to the display apparatus in turn. Further, the functionsprovided by the related art display apparatus or user terminal havecertain limits to make an experience of sharing content be valuable tousers.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments may overcome the above disadvantagesand other disadvantages not described above. However, an exemplaryembodiment is not required to overcome the disadvantages describedabove, and may not overcome any of the problems described above.

One or more exemplary embodiments may provide a display apparatus and auser terminal, a control method thereof, a computer-readable medium anda system thereof, in which various, convenient and interestinginterfaces for sharing content are provided to a plurality of users, sothat they can experience worthwhile sharing activities.

In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a display apparatus including: a display; a communicatorconfigured to communicate with a plurality of user terminals; and acontroller configured to display on the display a user interface (UI),which includes a plurality of items corresponding to a content to beshared by a plurality of users, in response to inputs of the pluralityof users received through the plurality of user terminals, and controlthe UI to display reproduction control states of the content to bedistinguishable according to the plurality of users.

The controller may control the plurality of items to be displayeddistinguishably by colors respectively assigned to the plurality ofusers.

The controller may control the UI to display a visualizer provideddistinguishably according to the plurality of users and varied in visualeffect depending states of the input of the user.

The controller may control the UI to further display a cursor forselecting the item and make the cursor be changed in shape as the itemis selected or unselected by the input of the user.

The controller may control the UI to further display a wallpaper imageand arrange the item at a certain position matching with the contentcorresponding to the item on the wallpaper image.

The controller may control the item to additionally display a timershowing a lapse of a standby time in response to a request forreproducing the content from the user, and starts reproducing thecontent when the standby time is over.

The controller may control the standby time to become shorter as moreusers make a request for reproducing the content.

The controller may control the timer to become bigger as more users makea request for reproducing the content.

The controller may control the UI to further display an item of an albumincluding two or more pieces of content selected by the input of theuser, and control the item of the album to display information aboutusers corresponding to the pieces of content included in the album.

In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a method of controlling a display apparatus, the methodincluding: connecting and communicating with a plurality of userterminals; displaying a user interface (UI), which includes a pluralityof items corresponding to a content to be shared by a plurality ofusers, in response to inputs of the plurality of users received throughthe plurality of user terminals; and controlling the UI to displayreproduction control states of the content to be distinguishableaccording to the plurality of users.

The controlling the UI may include controlling the plurality of items tobe displayed distinguishably by colors respectively assigned to theplurality of users.

The controlling the UI may include controlling the UI to display avisualizer provided distinguishably according to the plurality of usersand varied in visual effect depending states of the input of the user.

The controlling the UI may include controlling the UI to further displaya wallpaper image and arrange the item at a certain position matchingwith the content corresponding to the item on the wallpaper image.

The controlling the UI may include controlling the item to additionallydisplay a timer showing a lapse of a standby time in response to arequest for reproducing the content from the user, and startingreproducing the content when the standby time is over.

In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a user terminal including: a display configured to include atouch screen for receiving a touch input of a user; a communicatorconfigured to communicate with a display apparatus; and a controllerconfigured to control the display to display a first user interface (UI)for selecting content to be shared with another user through a displayapparatus, transmit information about the content selected by the touchinput using the first UI to the display apparatus, display a second UIincluding a cursor for controlling reproduction of the contentcorresponding to an item displayed on the display apparatus, andtransmit the touch input using the cursor to the display apparatus.

The user terminal may further include a sensor configured to senseinclination of the user terminal, wherein the first UI may include theitem corresponding to the content, and the controller may display theitem selected to be shared to move to an edge of the first UI inresponse to the inclination of the user terminal.

The controller may control the cursor to be changed in size as the itemdisplayed on the display apparatus is selected or unselected.

The first UI may provide a first search function for searching a storagewhere data of the content is stored, the second UI may provide a secondsearch function for searching the content corresponding to the itemdisplayed on the display apparatus, and the controller may transmit thetouch input using at least one of the first search function and thesecond search function to the display apparatus.

In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a computer-readable medium storing a computer program to beexecuted by a user terminal including a touch screen for receiving atouch input of a user, wherein operations of the user terminal by theexecution of the computer program includes: connecting and communicatingwith a display apparatus; displaying a first user interface (UI) forselecting content to be shared with another user through the displayapparatus; transmitting information about the content selected by thetouch input using the first UI to the display apparatus; displaying asecond UI including a cursor for controlling reproduction of the contentcorresponding to an item displayed on the display apparatus; andtransmitting the touch input using the cursor to the display apparatus.

In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there isprovided an apparatus for sharing content among a plurality of users,the apparatus including: a display apparatus configured to display auser interface (UI), which includes a plurality of items correspondingto content to be shared by the plurality of users, in response to inputsof the plurality of users, and control the UI to display reproductioncontrol states of the content to be distinguishable according to theplurality of users; and a plurality of user terminals configured todisplay a first UI for selecting content to be shared, transmitinformation about the content selected by the input of the user usingthe first UI to the display apparatus, display a second UI forcontrolling reproduction of the content corresponding to the itemdisplayed on the display apparatus, and transmit the input of the userusing the second UI to the display apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects will become more apparent by describingcertain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a display apparatus and a user terminal according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a display apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a user terminal according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates operations between a display apparatus and userterminals according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows an example of a user interface (UI) displayed on a userterminal according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 shows an example of a UI displayed on a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate UIs displayed on a user terminal according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of an area “A” in the UI shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an example of the UI displayed on the user terminal accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20 are examples of the UIdisplayed on the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 21 and 22 are examples of the UI displayed on the displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 23 is an example of the UI displayed on the user terminal accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Certain exemplary embodiments are described in greater detail below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, the same drawing reference numerals areused for the same elements even in different drawings. The mattersdefined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements,are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplaryembodiments. Thus, it is apparent that exemplary embodiments can becarried out without those specifically defined matters. Also, well-knownfunctions or constructions are not described in detail since they wouldobscure exemplary embodiments with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 10 for sharing content, including adisplay apparatus 11 and a user terminal or user terminals 12 accordingto an exemplary embodiment. The display apparatus 11 shown in FIG. 1 mayinclude a television (TV), a monitor, a large format display, etc., butnot limited thereto. The display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment may also include a digital signage, a large billboard, anin-vehicle monitor, a head-mount display, a virtual reality device, etc.Each user terminal 12 shown in FIG. 1 may be a smartphone 16, asmartwatch 18, a smart pad, a personal computer or the like personaldevice, but not limited thereto. The user terminal according to anexemplary embodiment may be an MP3 player, smart glasses, a virtualreality device, etc. Each user 13 has their own user terminal 12. Eachuser 13 and the user terminal 12 may be placed around the displayapparatus 11. Each user 13 may control their own user terminal 12 whileviewing the display apparatus 11. Each user 13 may make the displayapparatus 11 provide content desired by him/her through his/her own userterminal 12.

The display apparatus 11 may provide content selected by each user inaccordance with a request from each user 13 using the user terminal 12.There are no limits to the kind of content provided by the displayapparatus 11, but the content may, for example, include music, a movingimage, a picture, web information, etc. The users 13 may use their ownuser terminals 12 and the display apparatus 11 to share content selectedby them. For example, the plurality of users 13 who have come back froma trip may use the display apparatus 11 to share pictures taken in thesame place and at the same time. According to an exemplary embodiment,the display apparatus 11 and the user terminals 12 may allow theplurality of users 13 to share their content with one another in thesame place, thereby having a new worthwhile experience of the contentsharing activities.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the content sharing activities mayinclude the following matters. That is, each user 13 may select his/herfavorite content as content to be shared. For example, each user 13 mayselect content created by herself through the user terminal 12, contentfiltered based on his/her tastes, or the like as content to be shared.The users 13 may respectively manipulate their own user terminals 12 toexpress their preference, tastes, opinions, etc. on the displayapparatus 11 while the content is being shared.

Thus, by the display apparatus 11 and the user terminals 12 according toan exemplary embodiment, a plurality of users 13 who are in the sameplace can share content with one another with respect to music, a movingimage, a picture or the like content reflecting their interest, tests,etc. through the user terminals 12, which can be respectivelymanipulated by a plurality of users 13, and the display apparatus 11,which can be simultaneously viewed by the plurality of users 13, andalso talk with one another while viewing a screen for sharing thecontent, thereby making a more worthwhile experience.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the display apparatus 11 according to anexemplary embodiment. The display apparatus 11 may include an imageprocessor 21, a display 22, a first communicator 23, e.g., acommunication device, an interface, and/or a transceiver, and acontroller 24, e.g., a processor and/or a microprocessor. The imageprocessor 21 performs image processing to display a user interface (UI)for sharing content and/or an image of the content. The display 22displays the UI and/or image processed by the image processor 21. Thefirst communicator 23 performs communication with the user terminal 12.The controller 24 performs control for the display apparatus 11. Thecontroller 24 performs control in response to a request of each user 13received from the user terminal 12 so that each user 13 can do thecontent sharing activities.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the user terminal 12 according to anexemplary embodiment. The user terminal 12 includes a display 31, a userinput 32, a communicator 33, e.g., a communication device, an interface,and/or a transceiver, and a controller 34, e.g., a processor and/or amicroprocessor. The user terminal 12 may further include a storage or astorage unit 35. The display 31 displays a UI for sharing content. Theuser input 32 receives a user's input for sharing content. There are nolimits to the user input 32. For example, the user input 32 may includea touch screen for sensing a user's touching input on the display 31.The communicator 33 communicates with the first communicator 23 of thedisplay apparatus 11. The controller 34 performs controls for the userterminal 12. The controller 34 controls the display 31 to display a UIfor sharing content, and controls the communicator 33 to transmit auser's input received through the user input 32 to the display apparatus11, so that a user 13 can do the content sharing activities.

There are no limits to a communication method between the firstcommunicator 23 of the display apparatus and the communicator 33 of theuser terminal 12. For example, the communication method may includewireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, etc. At least one of thecontroller 24 of the display apparatus 11 and the controller 34 of theuser terminal 12 may include a control program, a nonvolatile memory inwhich the control program is installed, a volatile memory to which atleast a portion of the installed control program is loaded, and at leastone microprocessor for executing the loaded control program. The controlprogram may include at last one of a basic input/output system (BIOS), adevice driver, an operating system, a firmware, a platform and anapplication programs. The application program may be installed or storedin advance in the display apparatus 11 or the user terminal 12 when thedisplay apparatus 11 or the user terminal 12 is manufactured, or may beinstalled in the display apparatus 11 or the user terminal 12 based onreceived data by receiving data of application programs from the outsidewhen it is used in the future. The data of the application program maybe, for example, downloaded from an external server such as anapplication market to the display apparatus 11 or the user terminal 12.

FIG. 4 illustrates operations between the display apparatus 11 and theuser terminals 12 according to an exemplary embodiment. A first userterminal 41 and a second user terminal 42 shown in FIG. 4 respectivelyrefer to two user terminals 12 among the plurality of user terminals 12shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. For convenience of description, FIG. 4illustrates only two user terminals 12 among the plurality of userterminals 12 as an example. According to an exemplary embodiment, threeor more user terminals are also possible. First, the first user terminal41 is connected to and starts communication with the display apparatus11 (S41). Any one of the first user terminal 41 and the displayapparatus 11 may lead the communication between the first user terminal41 and the display apparatus 11.

If the first user terminal 41 takes the lead of the communication, thefirst user terminal 41 may, for example, receive a user's input forstarting the content sharing activities from a user 13 through the UIdisplayed on the display 31. The first user terminal 41 searches forconnectable devices around the first user terminal 41 through the UI inaccordance with a user's input for starting the content sharingactivities. If the display apparatus 11 is found as a connectabledevice, the first user terminal 41 may connect and communicate with thefound display apparatus 11. In this case, the display apparatus 11 mayconnect the first user terminal 41 when it receives a request forsearching the connectable devices from the first user terminal 41.

Specifically, the first user terminal 41 may determine whether toconnect and communicate with the found display apparatus 11 based oninformation about identification (ID) of the display apparatus 11, suchas device ID. In this case, the display apparatus 11 may transmit itsown ID information to the first user terminal 41 if it receives therequest for searching devices from the first user terminal 41. The firstuser terminal 41 may further include a storage 35 for pre-storing the IDinformation of the display apparatus to be connected for communication,and compares the ID information of the display apparatus stored in thestorage 35 with the ID information received from the found displayapparatus 11, thereby determining whether to connect and communicatewith the display apparatus 11.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first user terminal 41 maydetermine whether to connect and communicate with the found displayapparatus 11 in accordance with a user's input. Specifically, the firstuser terminal 41 displays the information about the found displayapparatus 11 such as a device name, device descriptions, etc. and amessage of asking whether to connect with the display apparatus 11 onthe display 31, and determines whether to connect and communicate withthe display apparatus 11 in accordance with a user's input receivedthrough the user input 32. The first user terminal 41 may connect withthe display apparatus 11 by a touch using near field communication (NFC)with the display apparatus 11 or a remote controller (to be describedlater) of the display apparatus 11.

On the other hand, the display apparatus 11 may take the lead of thecommunication between the first user terminal 41 and the displayapparatus 11. The communication led by the display apparatus 11 may bealso achieved like the foregoing case where the first user terminal 41takes the lead of the communication. In this case, the display apparatus11 may further include a user input 25 (see FIG. 2) for receiving auser's input for starting the content sharing activities. The user input25 of the display apparatus 11 may include a panel input portionprovided in the main body of the display apparatus 11 and directlyreceiving a user's input, and/or a remote signal receiver for receivinga remote control signal corresponding to a user's input from a remotecontroller for receiving the user's input. The display apparatus 11 mayfurther include a storage or a storage unit 26 (see FIG. 2) for storingin advance the ID information of the user terminal to be connected forcommunication.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the second user terminal 42 connects andcommunicates with the display apparatus 11 (S42). The communicationbetween the second user terminal 42 and the display apparatus 11 may beachieved like the foregoing communication between the first userterminal 41 and the display apparatus 11. Alternatively, the second userterminal 42 receives information about connection with the displayapparatus 11 from the first user terminal 41, and thus connects with thedisplay apparatus 11 based on the received connection information.Alternatively, the second user terminal 42 may provide information aboutthe connection with the second user terminal 42 to the first userterminal 41, and thus allows the first user terminal 41 to send theconnection information to the display apparatus 11, thereby allowing thedisplay apparatus 11 to connect with the second user terminal 42.

Alternatively, one user 13 may use two or more user terminals 12. Forexample, one user 13 may use his/her own smartphone and smartwatch asthe user terminals 12. In this case, the smartphone of the user terminal12 may be used to connect with the display apparatus 11 in the name of acertain user, and then the smartwatch of the user terminal 12 may beused to connect with the display apparatus 11 in the name of the sameuser as above. The user terminal 12 of the smartwatch may, for example,use Bluetooth or the like communication method to connect with and shareinformation with the user terminal 12 of the smartphone, and use Wi-Fito connect with the display apparatus 11. If one user uses two or moreuser terminals 12, the display apparatus 11 may display the users andcontent control states with respect to the two or more user terminals12, or may differently display the content control states according tothe user terminals 12.

Next, the first user terminal 41 selects content to be shared (S43). Thefirst user terminal 41 displays a UI for allowing a user 13 to selectdesired content on the display 31.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the UI displayed on the user terminal 41according to an exemplary embodiment. A UI 51 shown in FIG. 5 includes afirst area 52 showing one or more items 54 corresponding pieces ofcontent selectable as the content to be shared, and a second area 53showing an item 55 corresponding to the content selected as the contentto be shared. The display of the items 54 and the item 55 may includedisplaying information about the corresponding content, for example, atleast one among a thumbnail image, a name, descriptions, and the like ofthe content. As shown in FIG. 5, the items 54 may be displayed as icons46 and corresponding content titles 48.

A user 13 may make an input by touching the first area 52 to search forthe content to be shared, which may be stored, for example, in astorage. For example, the first user terminal 41 may have a first searchfunction which may be executed via a touch input received through the UIdisplayed on the first area 52. For example, the first user terminal 41moves the items 54 of the content shown on the first area 52 up and downas a user makes an input 57 of sliding up and down on the first area 52,and thus the item 54 corresponding to content not shown on the firstarea 52 additionally appears.

A user 13 may move content, which is desired to be shared among aplurality of pieces of content respectively indicated by the items 54shown on the first area 52, to the second area 53. For example, if auser 13 makes an input 56, e.g., on the icon 46 or corresponding contenttitle 48, of dragging and dropping the item 54 of certain content fromthe first area 52 to the second area 53, the first user terminal 41 maymove the item 54 of the corresponding content to the second area 53.Then, the first user terminal 41 displays an item 55 of contentcorresponding to the moving item 54 to additionally appear on the secondarea 53. Alternatively, the user input 32 of the first user terminal 41may sense strength (pressure) of a touch input on the display 31 througha predetermined range, and the first user terminal 41 displays the item54 of content to be moved to the second area 53 when it is pressed withstrength stronger than a predetermined level in the state that the item54 corresponding to the content is touched and held. The first userterminal 41 may further include a sensor 36 (see FIG. 3) for sensing amotion or inclination of the first user terminal 41, and display theitem 54 of content to be moved to the second area 53 when the first userterminal 41 is moved by a preset pattern or inclined in the state that auser 13 touches and holds the item 54 of the content.

According to an exemplary embodiment, if a user 13 moves the item 54 ofcontent from the first area 52 to the second area 53, the first userterminal 41 may determine that the corresponding content is selected tobe shared. In this case, the first user terminal 41 may display the item55 of the content to be moved in a direction 59 toward the edge area ofthe UI 51 in response to that the item 55 of new content is added to thesecond area 53. At this time, if the item 55 of content reaches the topend of the second area 53, the item 55 disappears from the second area53.

According to an exemplary embodiment, if there is an input of a user 13following after the item 55 of new content is added to the second area53, the first user terminal 41 may determine that the contentcorresponding to the item 55 displayed on the second area 53 is selectedto be shared. For example, if a user makes an input for inclining thefirst user terminal 41 toward the display apparatus 11, i.e., in anupward direction 591, the first user terminal 41 may determine that auser selects the content of the second area 53 to be shared. The firstuser terminal 41 may display the item 55 of the content shown in thesecond area 53 to be moved in the upper direction 59 as the first userterminal 41 is inclined in the upward direction 591. The item 55 of thecontent, reaches the top end of the second area 53 disappears from thesecond area 53. Accordingly, a user may see visual effects as if thecontent desired to be shared is moved or poured out from the first userterminal 41 to the display apparatus 11.

Referring back to FIG. 4, if the content to be shared is selected, thefirst user terminal 41 transmits information about the selected contentto the display apparatus 11 (S44). Similarly, the second user terminal42 selects content to be shared in accordance with a user's input (S45)and transmits information about the selected content to the displayapparatus 11 (S46).

The display apparatus 11 may display content to be shared based on theinformation about the content, received from the first user terminal 41and the second user terminal 42 (S47). The display apparatus 11 maydisplay the shared content according to the respective users 13.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a UI displayed on the display apparatus 11according to an exemplary embodiment. The UI 61 shown in FIG. 6 mayinclude an item or items 62 showing users who share the content, and anitem or items 63 showing the shared content. The item 62 showing users13 who share the content with each other refers to the users 13 of thefirst user terminal 41 and the second user terminal 42 which arecurrently connected to the display apparatus 11. The item 62 showingusers 13 who share content with each other may, for example, distinguishthe users 13 by colors, names, IDs, etc. When the first user terminal 41or the second user terminal 42 is connected to the display apparatus 11,the display apparatus 11 may assign different colors to users 13 of theconnected first user terminal 41 and the connected second user terminal42. The display apparatus 11 may transmit information about colorsrespectively assigned to users 13 to the first user terminal 41 or thesecond user terminal 42 of the corresponding user 13.

The display apparatus 11 may display the item 63 of the shared contentas the information about the shared content is received from the firstuser terminal 41 and/or the second user terminal 42 (S44, S46). Thedisplay apparatus 11 may display the item 63 of the shared content toappear on the UI 61 as if it is moving in a predetermined direction. Forexample, the item 63 of the shared content may appear on the UI 61 as ifit is moving from right to left or from left to right. The displayapparatus 11 may display the item 63 of the shared content to enter theUI 61 as if it falls from the top end of the UI 61 downward or as if itrises from the bottom upward. Thus, more emphasized visual effects aregiven as if the content is poured out from the first user terminal 41and/or the second user terminal 42 to the display apparatus 11.

The item 63 showing the shared content may include the thumbnail image,the name, the descriptions, etc. of the shared content. The item 63showing the shared content may be distinguished according to users 13 bythe color assigned to the user 13 of the corresponding content.Therefore, the user 13 can easily recognize which user 13 shares thecontent through his/her own terminal, based on what color the item ofthe shared content displayed on the display apparatus 11 has.

Each user 13 may use his/her own first user terminal 41 or second userterminal 42 to control the shared content displayed on the displayapparatus 11. The operations of the first user terminal 41 and thesecond user terminal 42 may be similar to each other. For convenience ofdescription, the operations of the first user terminal 41 will berepresentatively described.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a UI displayed on the first userterminal 41 according to an exemplary embodiment. The UI 71 shown inFIG. 7 may include an item 72 for sorting the shared content displayedon the display apparatus 11, an item 73 for navigating the sharedcontent, an item 74 for starting reproduction of the shared content, anitem 75 for skipping to the next shared content, an item 76 for votingfor the shared content, and an item 77 for controlling volume of theshared content being reproduced. According to an exemplary embodiment,the first user terminal 41 may display the UI 71 with a color assignedto a corresponding user 13 based on the information received from thedisplay apparatus 11. Thus, a user 13 can easily know the color thathe/she has been given.

The user 13 selects one among the plurality of items 72 to 77 of the UI71, and thus controls the reproduction of the shared content displayedon the display apparatus 11 (see S48 and S49 in FIG. 4). If a user'sinput such as a touch on the UI 71 selects one among the plurality ofitems 72 to 77 on the UI 71, the first user terminal 41 transmitsreproduction-control information corresponding to the selected item (oneamong the items 72 to 77) to the display apparatus 11 (see S491 and S492in FIG. 4). The display apparatus 11 displays a reproduction controlstate of the shared content displayed thereon based on the reproductioncontrol information received from the first user terminal 41 (see S493of FIG. 4). The display apparatus 11 may display the reproductioncontrol state of the shared content distinguishably according to users13.

Specifically, if the item 72 for sorting the shared content is selectedon the UI 71 shown in FIG. 7, the first user terminal 41 may display aUI 81 that includes a menu item 82 showing sortable categories as shownin FIG. 8. The sortable categories of the menu item 82 may, for example,include a genre of content, a user, time, a vote for, a vote against,etc. A user 13 may select one among the sortable categories of the menuitem 82, thereby sorting the shared content displayed on the displayapparatus 11.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the display apparatus 11 may sort and displaythe item 63 of the shared content in accordance with the categoryselected in the menu item 82 of the first user terminal 41. For example,if the category of the genre or user is selected, the display apparatus11 may display only the item 63 of the shared content corresponding tothe selected genre or user. If the category of the time is selected, thedisplay apparatus 11 may sort the plurality of items 63 of the sharedcontent in order of time such as year, month, day, day of the week, etc.If the category of the vote for or against is selected, the displayapparatus 11 may display only the item 63 of the shared contentobtaining a preference or higher than a value determined by the vote. Asshown in FIG. 6, the UI 61 of the display apparatus 11 may furtherinclude an item or items 64 for showing a liking or rating with respectto each piece of the shared content.

Referring back to FIG. 7, a user 13 may navigate the shared contentbased on the item 73 of the UI 71 selecting the shared content to bereproduced. For example, a user may slide on the item 73 of the UI 71 inup and down directions 78. The display apparatus 11 may display theitems 63 for the plurality of pieces of shared content while giving afocus on the currently selected item or items 65 as shown in FIG. 6. Forexample, the focuses on the respective items 65 may be distinguishedfrom one another by different colors according to users 13 who selectthe corresponding items 65. The display apparatus 11 may move the focusover the items 65 of the selected shared content in accordance with asliding direction 78 of a user's input to the item 73 of the first userterminal 41.

Referring back to FIG. 7, a user 13 may use the item 74 of the UI 71 tostart reproducing the selected shared content. For example, a user 13checks whether the shared content of the item 65 on which the displayapparatus 11 is focused is content desired to be reproduced by him/her,and selects the item 74 of the UI 71, thereby starting the reproductionof the corresponding shared content. Alternatively, a user 13 mayperform pressing with strength stronger than a predetermined level ordragging leftward or rightward while sliding over the item 73 in the upand down directions 78, thereby starting the reproduction of thecorresponding shared content.

The display apparatus 11 may start reproducing the shared content of thecurrently focused item 65 in response to the selection of the item 74 ofthe first user terminal 41. According to an exemplary embodiment, thedisplay apparatus 11 may use the currently reproduced shared content asa wallpaper image of the UI 61. For example, if the currently reproducedshared content is music, the wallpaper image of the UI 61 may include analbum jacket of the music or an image extracted from additional imagereceived from an external server or the like in connection with themusic.

The display apparatus 11 may receive data of the shared content to bereproduced from the first user terminal 41 of the user 13 who makes arequest for the reproduction, and reproduces the corresponding sharedcontent based on the received data. There are no limits to a method oftransmitting data of the shared content to be reproduced between thedisplay apparatus 11 and the first user terminal 41, but the data may betransmitted by a downloading method or a streaming method.Alternatively, the display apparatus 11 may receive data of the sharedcontent to be reproduced from one or more content storage devices orunits 14 other than the first user terminal 41 of the user 13 who makesthe request for the reproduction. The content storage device 14 may, forexample, include a personal computer (PC), a smartphone, a smart pad, auniversal serial bus (USB) memory, a server, etc. as shown in FIG. 1.Referring to FIG. 2, the display apparatus 11 may receive data of theshared content to be reproduced from the content storage device 14through the first communicator 23, or may further include a secondcommunicator 27 (see FIG. 2) using a communication method different fromthe first communicator 23 to thereby receive data of the shared contentto be reproduced from the content storage device 14 through the secondcommunicator 27. The second communicator 27 may include at least oneamong a communication device, an interface, and a transceiver.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first user terminal 41provides a UI for searching the shared content, and transmitsinformation about a searching query input through the UI to the displayapparatus 11. The display apparatus 11 may search the shared contentfrom the content storage device 14 based on the information about thequery for searching the shared content, received from the first userterminal 41, and provides a user 13 with a result of searching theshared content.

The display apparatus 11 may perform data processing for reproducing theshared content. The data processing for reproducing the shared contentmay be implemented corresponding to the formats or attributes of thecontent. The display apparatus 11 may output the result of processingthe data of the shared content to be reproduced. For example, thedisplay apparatus 11 may output an audio signal of the shared content tobe reproduced, or display a moving image or still image of the sharedcontent to be reproduced. To implement such operations, the displayapparatus 11 may further include at least one of an audio processor forprocessing audio data, and a loudspeaker for outputting an audio signal.As another example, the display apparatus 11 may send an external devicea result of processing the data of the shared content to be reproduced.

Referring back to FIG. 7, a user 13 may select the item 75 of the UI 71while the shared content is being reproduced, and skip to the nextshared content. In response to the selection of the item 75 in the firstuser terminal 41, the display apparatus 11 starts reproducing the sharedcontent of the item 63 next to the currently focused item 65.

A user 13 may select the item 76 of the UI 71 shown in FIG. 7 to therebyincrease the liking for the desired shared content. The displayapparatus 11 increases the liking for the shared content designated by auser 13 in response to the selection of the item 76 in the first userterminal 41. The display apparatus 11 stores a value corresponding tothe liking for each piece of the shared content in a storage 26, andchanges the value corresponding to the liking for the shared contentstored in the storage 26 as a user 13 develops the liking for the sharedcontent. The liking or the rating for the shared content may bedecreased in accordance with the selection of a user 13.

A user 13 may control the volume of the shared content being reproduced,by selecting the item 77 of the UI 71 shown in FIG. 7. For example, auser 13 may slide over the item 77 in a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection 79 in order to turn up or down the volume. The displayapparatus 11 turns up or down the volume of the shared content, forexample, music or a moving image, being currently reproduced inaccordance with the sliding direction over the item 77 of the first userterminal 41.

The display apparatus 11 may display a reproduction control state ofeach user 13 in accordance with the shared content being reproduced. Forexample, the display apparatus 11 may display a visualizer having avisual effect instantly varying depending on the state where each user13 manipulates the user terminal 41, 42 to control the reproduction ofthe shared content. The display apparatus 11 may distinguish thevisualizers having the visual effects between the users 13.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of an area “A” in the UI 61 shown in in FIG.6. As shown in FIG. 9, the display apparatus 11 may display a grid 91having a lattice pattern assigned to the users 13 of the shared contentas the visual effect or visualizer. Each grid 91 may be, for example,distinguished by colors according to users 13.

The display apparatus 11 receives information about a user's controlstate for controlling the reproduction of the shared content from eachof the first and second user terminals 41 and 42. A user's control statefor reproducing the shared content may, for example, include each motionor inclination of the user terminals 41 and 42. As shown in FIG. 9, if auser 13 inclines the first user terminal 41 in a leftward direction 92in order to control the reproduction of the shared content, the firstuser terminal 41 transmits information about an inclined direction 92 tothe display apparatus 11. The display apparatus 11 may display the grid91 corresponding to the first user terminal 41 to be transformed in adirection 93 corresponding to the inclined direction 92 of the firstuser terminal 41, based on the information received from the first userterminal 41. Thus, each user 13 can interact with the screen of thedisplay apparatus 11 while viewing the visual effects instantlyreflecting his/her control state for controlling the reproduction of theshared content, thereby getting a more interesting experience of sharingthe content. The visualizer described in an exemplary embodiment isnothing but an example among methods of displaying the reproductioncontrol state of each user 13 with respect to the shared content to bedistinguished according to users. In other words, the present inventiveconcept is not limited to the visualizer.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the UI displayed on the user terminal12 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 11 to 19 are otherexamples of the UI displayed on the display apparatus 11 according to anexemplary embodiment. Regarding the display apparatus 11 and the userterminal 12 according to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 10 to19, descriptions about the same or similar elements as those of thedisplay apparatus 11 and the user terminal 12 described with referenceto FIGS. 1 to 9 will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first user terminal 41 may display a UI 101 forcontrolling reproduction of shared content. In an exemplary embodiment,the reproduction of the shared content involves various situationsallowing a user 13 to use the shared content through the displayapparatus 11. For example, the reproduction of the shared content mayinclude reproducing a moving image, displaying a picture, playing music,providing relevant information about content, etc. through the displayapparatus 11.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the UI 101 may include a cursor102, and items 104 and 105 for selecting a category of shared content orsorting and/or arranging the shared content. A user 13 manipulates thecursor 102 shown in the UI 101 of the first user terminal 41 and makesthe first user terminal 41 have a motion, thereby controlling thereproduction of the shared content displayed on the display apparatus11. The first user terminal 41 sends information about the cursor 102and the motion of the first user terminal 41 to the display apparatus11, and the display apparatus 11 performs operations related to controlfor reproducing the content based on the information received from thefirst user terminal 41.

As shown in FIG. 11, the display apparatus 11 may display a UI 111 forcontrolling the reproduction of the shared content. The UI 111 displayedon the display apparatus 11 may include a cursor 112 and an item 113showing the shared content. The cursors 112 are displayed correspondingto the first user terminal 41 and the second user terminal 42,respectively. The cursors 112 may be distinguished by colorsrespectively assigned to the users 13. The cursor 112 displayed on thedisplay apparatus 11 may be shaped corresponding to the cursors 102displayed on the UI 101 of the first and second user terminals 41 and42.

The item 113 showing the shared content may include at least one of thethumbnail image, the name, and the description of the content. There areno limits to a pattern where the items 113 showing the plurality ofpieces of shared content are arranged. In an exemplary embodiment, theitems 113 may be randomly arranged. Alternatively, the item 113 showingthe shared content according to an exemplary embodiment may be arrangedto have various patterns such as a 3D-spherical pattern, etc.

Each item 113 showing the shared content may be displayed as if it fallsfrom the top end of the UI 101 downward (reference numeral 114). Thedisplayed items item 115 may be animated to move as if it sinks underwater (reference numeral 116). The size of the item 113 showing theshared content may be determined based on the number of pieces of sharedcontent to be displayed.

FIG. 12 shows a UI 121 displaying more pieces of shared content thanthose displayed on the UI 111 shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 12, theitems 122 respectively corresponding to the shared content displayed onthe UI 121 may be smaller than the items 113 of the shared contentdisplayed on the UI 111 shown in FIG. 11. In addition, the displayapparatus 11 may display images on the wallpapers of the UI 111 and UI121, and wallpaper images may be enlarged or reduced in accordance withchange in the size of items 113 and 122 of the shared content.

Referring back to FIG. 10, a user 13 may move the cursor 112 displayedon the display apparatus 11 by controlling the motion of the first userterminal 41. For example, if a user 13 inclines the first user terminal41 in upward, downward, leftward and rightward directions 103, thedisplay apparatus 11 may display the cursor 112 corresponding to thefirst user terminal 41 to move in a direction corresponding to theinclined direction 103 of the first user terminal 41. There are nolimits to the method of moving the cursor 112 of the display apparatus11 by manipulating the first user terminal 41, and various methods arepossible.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a user 13 applies the motioncontrol to the first user terminal 41 so that the item 113 of the sharedcontent can be variously arranged on the display apparatus 11. Forexample, a user 13 may make the cursor 102 of the first user terminal 41slide, or do the motion control of inclining the first user terminal 41in the upward, downward, leftward and downward directions 103 in thestate that the cursor 102 is touched and held. In this regard, thedisplay apparatus 11 may display all the items 113 corresponding to theplurality of pieces of shared content arranged as shown in FIG. 11 orFIG. 12 to move upward, downward, leftward and rightward, to rotate in ahorizontal or vertical direction and to zoom in or out. Thus, a user 13arranges the item 113 of the content in various patterns, and moreeasily selects the desired shared content.

A user 13 may designate the item 113 of the shared content displayed onthe display apparatus 11, thereby selecting the shared content desiredto be reproduced. A user 13 points the item 113 of the shared contentdesired to be reproduced, with the cursor 112, and starts reproducingthe shared content. A user 13 may use the cursor 112 to select and focusthe item 113 of the shared content, to release the selection, or toscroll. The cursor 112 may be displayed with a color assigned to a user13 who currently controls the cursor 112. The cursor 112 mayrepetitively get bigger and smaller as if it breathes, thereby arousinga user's interest.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show details of the item 113 of certain shared contentdisplayed on the UI 111, 121 shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. As shows in FIG.13, the item 113 of the shared content is displayed to have a basic formas described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 before it is pointed withthe cursor 112. Specifically, the item 113 of the shared content may bemarked with an identifier 133 for indicating which user 13 thecorresponding shared content belongs to. The color of the identifier 133may be the same as the color assigned to the user 13 of thecorresponding shared content. The item 113 of the shared content maydisplay a thumbnail image 134 of the corresponding shared content. Theitem 113 of the shared content may display source information 135 abouta source of the corresponding shared content, i.e., a source from whichthe corresponding shared content is provided. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the source information 135 of the shared content may be notdisplayed when the source is the first user terminal 41, but displayedonly when the source is, for example, a web, an external device or thelike content storage device 14 (see FIG. 1).

Next, the item 113 of the shared content may be highlighted to indicatethat the item 113 is focused when the item 113 is pointed with thecursor 112 (see reference numeral 137 in FIG. 13). The highlight 137 maybe displayed to surround the edges of the item 113, and may, forexample, be shaped as a rectangle. The highlight 137 may have the samecolor as the identifier 133 of the corresponding shared content. Whenthe item 113 of the shared content is focused, additional information138 of the shared content may be displayed. The additional information138 of the shared content may include the title and description of thecorresponding shared content, information provided by a certain servicewhen it is connected to the certain service, etc. The informationprovided by the corresponding service may be, for example, given in theform of the number of stars, which indicates a level of recommending thecontent, as shown in FIG. 13.

Next, in the state that the item 113 of the shared content is focused, auser 13 may select the item 113 so that the shared content can bereproduced. Referring to FIG. 10, a user 13 may manipulate the cursor102 of the first user terminal 41 to select the item 113 of the displayapparatus 11.

As shown in FIG. 13, when the item 113 of the shared content is selectedby an input of a user 13, the display apparatus 11 may display thecursor 112 on the item 113 to get smaller as if it grasps the item 113like a hand of the user 13. Thus, a user 13 can more funnily select theshared content since the shape of the cursor 112 is varied depending onhis/her manipulation.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a UI 141 displayed on the display apparatus11 according to an exemplary embodiment. If the item 113 of the sharedcontent is selected in response to an input of a user 13, the displayapparatus 11 reproduces shared content 142 corresponding to the selecteditem 113. FIG. 15 illustrates an example that information provided on aweb is displayed as a type of reproducing the shared content 142.However, there are no limits to the type of reproducing the sharedcontent. According to an exemplary embodiment, if the shared content isa moving image, the moving image may be reproduced. If the sharedcontent is a still image, the still image may be displayed. Likewise,the shared content may be reproduced variously in accordance with thekinds and formats of the shared content.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus 11 mayvariously arrange and display the item 113 of the shared content.

FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate examples of UIs 151, 161 displayed on thedisplay apparatus 11 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, items 113 of the shared content are arranged in theform of two-dimensional grid or matrix in the UIs 151 and 161. Thedisplay apparatus 11 may display the UI 151, 161 in response to an inputof a user 13 to the first user terminal 41. The display apparatus 11 mayswitch between the arrangement of the item 113 corresponding to theshared content shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and the arrangement of the item113 corresponding to the shared content shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 inresponse to an input of a user 13 to the first user terminal 41. Thus,it is more convenient for a user 13 to select the shared content asdesired since the items 113 of the shared content are variouslyarranged.

As shown in FIG. 17, if the cursor 112 reaches the edge of the screen,for example, the left edge in response to an input of a user 13 to thefirst user terminal 41, the display apparatus 11 scrolls all the items113 of the currently displayed shared content rightward (referencenumeral 164) so that one or more items 165 of the shared content notdisplayed yet can enter the screen. As an exemplary embodiment withoutlimitation, if the cursor 112 corresponding to the plurality of users 13is being displayed, the display apparatus 11 may allow the item 113 ofthe shared content to be movable only when the cursor 112 correspondingto all the plurality of users 13 reaches the edge. Thus, any user amongthe plurality of users 13 can have ample opportunities to view the item113 of the shared content, and it is thus possible to improve a user'sconvenience.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus 11 may sortand/or arrange the item 113 of the shared content according tocategories.

FIG. 18 illustrates an example of a UI 171 displayed on the displayapparatus 11 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18,one or more items 113 of shared content are sorted and/or arrangedaccording to categories in the UI 171. The UI 171 may show therespective names 173 of the categories. In the UI 171, the categoriesare horizontally arranged, and the items 113 of the shared content thatbelongs to each category are vertically arranged. The sorting and/orarranging method is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 17, and mayvary variously.

Referring back to FIG. 10, a user 13 may select the category of theshared content desired to be sorted and/or arranged, using the items 104and 105 of the first user terminal 41. The selectable categories of theshared content may, for example, include a picture, a moving image,music, web information, etc. as the kind of content, or a user, a genre,a liking, time, etc. as the method of sorting the content. There are nolimits to the selectable categories, and the selectable categories mayinclude any category for sorting or arranging the shared content. Thefirst user terminal 41 sends the display apparatus 11 the informationabout the category of the shared content selected by a user 13. Thedisplay apparatus 11 displays the items 113 of the shared contentcorresponding to the category selected by a user 13 to be sorted and/orarranged based on the information received from the first user terminal41. Thus, a user 13 can more easily select the shared content as desiredsince the items 113 of the shared content are variously sorted and/orarranged.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus 11 maydisplay the item 113 of the shared content to be arranged at a certainposition on the wallpaper image.

FIG. 19 shows an example of a UI 181 displayed on the display apparatus11 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 19, the UI 181may include a wallpaper image 182, and an item or items 113 of theshared content arranged on the wallpaper image 182. In an exemplaryembodiment, the wallpaper image 182 may be a map image, but not limitedthereto. Each item 113 of the shared content is displayed at a certainposition 184 matching with the shared content on the map image, i.e.,the wallpaper image 182. For example, if the shared content isinformation about a restaurant, the corresponding item 113 may bedisplayed at the position 184 corresponding to a certain point on themap 182 where the restaurant is placed. A user 13 manipulates the firstuser terminal 41 to move the map, i.e., the wallpaper image 182 upward,downward, leftward and rightward, or enlarge or reduce the map, therebysearching for the item 113 of the shared content as desired. Thus, it ismore convenient for a user 13 to select the shared content as desired.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display apparatus 11 mayprovide a function of searching the shared content.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a UI 191 displayed on the displayapparatus 11 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20,the UI 191 may include items 192 and 193 of the shared content, and asearch box 194. The display apparatus 11 may display a search word 195,for example, a country “Korea” corresponding to the shared contentdesired to be searched by a user 13 in the search box 194 in response toa user's input to the first user terminal 41. The display apparatus 11searches the shared content corresponding to the completely input searchword 195, and displays the item 192 of the searched shared content inthe UI 191. The display apparatus 11 may display the item 192 of thesearched shared content to be more emphasized than the item 193 ofanother shared content being displayed before the search, so that a user13 can easily recognize the search result. For example, the item 192 ofthe searched shared content may be arranged in front, and the item 193of another shared content may be arranged in back. The item 192 of thesearched shared content may be activated, but the item 193 of anothershared content may be inactivated. The inactivated item 193 of anothershared content may be displayed lightly or darkly.

A user 13 may start a search function for the shared content through thefirst user terminal 41 and input a search word for the shared contentdesired to be searched. Referring back to FIG. 10, according to anexemplary embodiment, a user 13 may use the item 105 of the first userterminal 41 to start the search function, but not limited thereto. Whenthe search function begins, the first user terminal 41 displays a UI forinputting a search word on the screen of the first user terminal 41 sothat a user 13 can input the search word. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the first user terminal 41 may receive a search word basedon a voice input of a user 13, e.g., via a microphone provided in theuser terminal.

Referring back to FIG. 20, the display apparatus 11 may display thesearch box 194 with the same color as that assigned to a user 13 whocurrently uses the search function, and it is thus easy to know who usesthe search function. If a certain user 13 starts the search function,the display apparatus 11 suspends cursor control corresponding to thecertain user 13, and displays the search box 194. While a certain user13 is using the search function, the display apparatus 11 may preventanother user 13 from using the search function. The search functionassigned to a certain user 13 may be valid until the corresponding user13 inputs the termination of the search function or until predeterminedtime out elapses.

When the search function assigned to a certain user 13 is terminated,the display apparatus 11 releases the display of the search box 194, andresumes the cursor control corresponding to the user 13. Thus, it ismore convenient for a user 13 to select a desired shared content throughthe search function for the shared content.

According to an exemplary embodiment, if a certain user 13 makes arequest for reproducing the shared content, the display apparatus 11 maystart reproducing the request shared content after a predeterminedstandby time elapses from a requesting point of time. Thus, another user13 can have opportunities to select the shared content as desired by herduring the standby time. The standby time may be individually applied toeach piece of the shared content, and time is independently counted fromwhen a request for reproducing each piece of the shared content is made.

Referring to FIG. 14, the display apparatus 11 may display a timer 1392for showing the standby time on an item 113 of the shared contentrequested to be reproduced.

The display apparatus 11 may reproduce only the shared content, of whichthe standby time is first over, among the plurality of pieces of sharedcontent requested to be reproduced. The display apparatus 11 mayreproduce the plurality of pieces of shared content requested to bereproduced, in order that the standby times thereof are ended. Withregard to one piece of the shared content, the plurality of users 13 maymake repetitive requests. In this case, the standby time may becomeshorter or elapse faster as the number of users 13 who make requests forthe reproduction increases. In other words, the shared content requestedby more users 13 may be preferentially reproduced. The display apparatus11 may enlarge the timer 1392, three-dimensionally display the timer1392 or give the like visual effects as the shared content is morerepetitively requested by the plurality of users 13. Thus, according toan exemplary embodiment, the shared content desired by many users ispreferentially reproduced by taking the liking of the number of usersinto account.

FIGS. 21 and 22 are still other examples of the UI displayed on thedisplay apparatus 11 according to an exemplary embodiment. Regarding thedisplay apparatus 11 and the user terminal 12 shown in FIGS. 21 and 22,descriptions about the same or similar elements to those of the displayapparatus 11 and the user terminal 12 shown in FIGS. 1 to 20 will beomitted.

The UI 201 shown in FIG. 21 includes a cursor 112, an item or items 113showing shared content and an item 205 indicating a user and/or liking.According to an exemplary embodiment, the shared content shown in FIG.21 may, for example, be a picture, but not limited thereto. The items113 corresponding to a plurality of pictures may, for example, bearranged in a 2D grid or matrix. Each item 113 of the shared contentadditionally includes the item 205 for indicating a user and/or liking.The item 205 is displayed with color assigned to each user 13, and thusinforms which user terminal shares the corresponding picture. The item205 is shaped like a bar, so that the liking of the picture can beindicated by the length of the bar.

The display apparatus 11 moves the cursor 112 in response to a user'sinput received from the user terminal 12. The display apparatus 11focuses an item 204 of the picture where the cursor 112 is currentlypositioned. For example, the item 204 of the currently focused picturemay be displayed to be bigger than other items 113 and may be inclinedat a predetermined angle. According to an exemplary embodiment,referring back to FIG. 10, the first user terminal 41 may make thecursor 102 become larger if a user 13 touches the UI 101 while thedisplay apparatus 11 displays the item 204 of the picture. In this case,the display apparatus 11 may make the cursor 112 to be smaller. Thus,the circle of the cursor 102 displayed on the first user terminal 41 isenlarged as if it is pressed, and the cursor 112 displayed on thedisplay apparatus 11 is reduced as if it grasps the picture, therebygiving a more interesting control experience to a user. Alternatively,the cursor 102 displayed on the first user terminal 41 may become biggeror smaller in accordance with strength by which a user 13 touches the UI101.

Referring to FIG. 22, the display apparatus 11 may display an editingarea 212 in a lower end of a UI 211 in response to a user's inputreceived from a user terminal 12. The editing area 212 may display anitem 213 for creating an album. The display apparatus 11 displays anitem 215 of an album to be edited, if a user 13 selects the item 213through the cursor 112. Each user 13 may move an item or items 113 of adesired picture to the item 215 of the album by drag and drop or thelike method. Thus, the plurality of users 13 can make a shared picturealbum with pictures desired by them. The display apparatus 11 mayadditionally display an item 217 to the item 215 of the album, therebyindicating a user of a picture included in this album. The item 217 isdisplayed with a color (or colors) assigned to a user 13 of each pictureincluded in the album, and it is thus easy to know whose picture thisalbum includes. The item 217 may be shaped like a bar including colorbars, and the length of each color bar may be proportional to the numberof pictures of each user 13 included in an album if this album includesthe pictures corresponding to the plurality of users 13. Therefore, itis easy to know information about the users who create the album.

FIG. 23 is another example of the UI displayed on the user terminalaccording to an exemplary embodiment. Regarding UIs 221 and 222 of theuser terminals 12 shown in FIG. 22, the same or similar elements tothose of the UIs 71 and 81 of the first user terminal 41 described withreference to FIGS. 7 and 8 will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 22, the UIs221 and 222 are shaped like circles. For example, the user terminal 12may be a smartwatch or the like. The UIs 221 and 222 respectively showdifferent control states, and include items 225 and 226 corresponding tothe control states. The items 225 and 226 showing the control statesmay, for example, include graphics of a play and a loudspeaker, but notlimited thereto. The UIs 221 and 222 may be switched each other inresponse to an input of a user 13. For example, if a user 13 swipes leftor right over the UI 221, 222, or presses the UI 221, 222 by strengthstronger than a predetermined level, the UIs 221 and 222 are switchedeach other.

The UI 221, 222 includes a wheel 223 provided along a rim of a screen. Auser 13 may touch and turn the wheel 223 in a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction 224. If a user 13 turns the wheel 223, dotsof forming the wheel 223 are displayed as if they are turned in acontrol direction of a user 13. In the state that the UI 221 isdisplayed, a user 13 may select desired content among the items 63 ofthe shared content displayed on the display apparatus 11 as shown inFIG. 6 while turning the wheel 223. The display apparatus 11 may movethe focus 65 over the items 63 corresponding to the plurality of piecesof shared content in accordance with a turning direction 224 of thewheel 223 by an input of a user 13. In the state that the item 65 of thedesired shared content is focused, a user 13 may select the reproductionof the corresponding shared content. For example, it may be selected toreproduce the shared content corresponding to the focused item 65 if auser 13 selects the item 225 of the UI 221. Alternatively, it may beselected to reproduce the shared content corresponding to the focuseditem 65 if a user 13 presses the wheel 223 with strength stronger than apredetermined level while turning the wheel 223.

If a user 13 selects the item 225 of the UI 221 while the selectedshared content is being reproduced, the reproduction of this content issuspended. In the state that the reproduction of the content issuspended, if a user 13 selects the item 225 of the UI 221, thereproduction of the corresponding content is resumed. While the UI 222is being displayed, a user 13 may control volume or the like of theshared content being reproduced while turning the wheel 223.

Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be madein these exemplary embodiments without departing from the principles andspirit of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing has to be consideredas illustrative only. The scope of the invention is defined in theappended claims and their equivalents. Accordingly, all suitablemodification and equivalents may fall within the scope of the invention.Specifically, at least one of the features of the display apparatus 11and the user terminal 12 described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 andFIG. 23 may be applied to the exemplary embodiments of the displayapparatus 11 and the user terminal 12 described with reference to FIGS.10 to 20 or the exemplary embodiments of the display apparatus 11 andthe user terminal 12 described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 22, andvice versa. For example, the features of the visualizer 91 displayeddistinguishably according to users 13, described with reference to FIG.9 may be applied to the exemplary embodiments of the display apparatus11 and the user terminal 12 respectively described with reference toFIGS. 10 to 20 and/or FIGS. 21 to 22. In addition, the features of thetimer 1392 indicating the standby time from when the reproduction isrequested to the time when the reproduction is fulfilled, described withreference to FIG. 14 may be applied to the exemplary embodiments of thedisplay apparatus 11 and the user terminal 12 respectively describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 and FIG. 23 or FIGS. 21 and 22. Besides,the features described in a certain exemplary embodiment are applicableto the other exemplary embodiments as long as they are not contradictoryto each other.

As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment, various,convenient and interesting interfaces for sharing content are providedto a plurality of users, thereby allowing a user to experienceworthwhile sharing activities.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplaryand are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. Thepresent teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses.Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope ofthe claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art.

1-19. (canceled)
 20. A display apparatus comprising: a display; acommunicator configured to communicate with a plurality of terminalsrespectively providing a plurality of contents; a processor configuredto: display a first image based on data of a first content received froma first terminal of the plurality of terminals and a second image basedon data of a second content received from a second terminal of theplurality of terminals on the display, and display on the display anadjusted image of the first image to be displayed differently from thesecond image based on a signal relating to the first content beingreceived from the first terminal through the communicator.
 21. Thedisplay apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the processor isfurther configured to display the first image and the second image to bedistinguishable with each other according to users of the plurality ofterminals.
 22. The display apparatus according to claim 21, wherein theprocessor is further configured to receive information other than thedata of the contents transmitted from the plurality of terminals, anddisplay the adjusted image to be distinguishable on the display based onthe information.
 23. The display apparatus according to claim 21,wherein the processor is further configured to display the adjustedimage to have visual effect which is distinguishable.
 24. The displayapparatus according to claim 23, wherein the processor is configured toapply the visual effect based on selection by the users of the pluralityof terminals.
 25. The display apparatus according to claim 23, whereinthe processor is configured to selectively apply the visual effectcorresponding to selection by user input in the display apparatus. 26.The display apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the processor isfurther configured to output the content as a moving image by streaming.27. The display apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the processoris further configured to adjust an audio volume of the first image basedon a user input through a UI on the first image.
 28. The displayapparatus according to claim 20, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to display the first image and the second image respectivelyincluding a thumbnail image to be distinguishable from each other, thethumbnail image corresponding to the content received from the terminal.29. The display apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the processoris further configured to arrange the thumbnail images randomly andadjust arrangement of the thumbnail images based on a user input.
 30. Acontrol method of a display apparatus comprising: receiving data of afirst content from a first terminal of a plurality of terminalsrespectively providing a plurality of contents, receiving data of asecond content from a second terminal of the plurality of terminals,displaying a first image based on the data of the first content and asecond image based on the data of the second content, and displaying anadjusted image of the first image to be displayed differently from thesecond image based on a signal relating to the first content beingreceived from the first terminal.
 31. The control method according toclaim 30, further comprising: displaying the first image and the secondimage to be distinguishable with each other according to users of theplurality of terminals.
 32. The control method according to claim 31,further comprising: receiving information other than the data of thecontents transmitted from the plurality of terminals, and displaying theadjusted image to be distinguishable based on the information.
 33. Thecontrol method according to claim 31, further comprising: displaying theadjusted image to have visual effect which is distinguishable.
 34. Thecontrol method according to claim 33, further comprising: applying thevisual effect based on selection by the users of the plurality ofterminals.
 35. The control method according to claim 33, furthercomprising: selectively applying the visual effect corresponding toselection by user input in the display apparatus.
 36. The control methodaccording to claim 30, further comprising: outputting the content as amoving image by streaming.
 37. The control method according to claim 30,further comprising: adjusting an audio volume of the first image basedon a user input through a UI on the first image.
 38. The control methodaccording to claim 30, further comprising: displaying the first imageand the second image respectively including thumbnail image to bedistinguishable with each other, the thumbnail image corresponding tothe content received from the terminal.
 39. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium recording instructions for execution by aprocessor of a display apparatus to cause the display apparatus toperform operations comprising: receiving data of a first content from afirst terminal of a plurality of terminals respectively providing aplurality of contents, receiving data of a second content from a secondterminal of the plurality of terminals, displaying a first image basedon the data of the first content and a second image based on the data ofthe second content, and displaying an adjusted image of the first imageto be displayed differently from the second image based on a signalrelating to the first content being received from the first terminal.